Boss hails fourth clean sheet in last five games

Latics got their first point against Arsenal, and after a draw with Liverpool earlier in the season it is the second time Steve Bruce's men have held one of the "big four" teams.

But Bruce believes Latics might have had a case for a late penalty after Cesc Fabregas appeared to handle the ball in the last few minutes.

Bruce said, "I think the longer it went on goalless the team were getting a bit of belief that maybe it was going to be our day. It was just a question if we could produce a final push.

"I've just seen on the TV that Koumas' shot does hit Fabregas and he does move towards the ball and arguably we could have been given it and it would have been decent. Before the game we would have taken a point absolutely."

The manager also said that goalkeeper Chris Kirkland played a major part in helping Wigan obtain the priceless draw by saying "He has produced save after save and he is brave as a lion, he was excellent."

Once again questions were asked of the state of the pitch at the JJB Stadium but Bruce stated that the conditions are also a disadvantage to Latics too.

The gaffer responded by saying, "We all know that a bad pitch produces a leveller but I have got some good players here too like Valencia who wants to run with the ball and it is impossible to play a first time pass because the ball is jumping around.

"I've got a decent team and I think the pitch hinders us too. There is no real root growth so the top just comes off, so in June we will have to get a new pitch constructed."

Latics have only lost once in their last five games, and Bruce praised his squad for tightening up their defence.

The Latics boss said, "The response by the players has been terrific, you can see that from the energy and the commitment and that is the reason why they have turned it round.

"We used to be leaking goals here a few months ago but now we've had four clean sheets out of the last five games which is far better and the players deserve a pat on the back."

Wigan World subscribers can listen to the whole of the post match interview with Steve Bruce on Wigan World.